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Memories in the Makin’: Caring for others through equine therapy

By Kristin Emery 4 min read
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Kennedy Hamilton with one of her Memories in the Makin' equine therapy horses
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Hamilton and her first pony, Bobo, who helped her recover from a childhood traumatic brain injury
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Memories in the Makin' provides equine therapy lessons at Sugar Run Stables in Avella.
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Kennedy Hamilton has been around horses her entire life and says she wouldn’t be where she is today without growing up around the beautiful animals.

“I spent my childhood working and training my horses,” says Hamilton, 27, the owner of Sugar Run Stables in Avella. “As I grew up, I realized they had taught me far more than I could ever teach them.”

Hamilton also uses her love for horses to help care for others through equine therapy for individuals with special needs and disabilities. Her nonprofit organization, Memories in the Makin’, has been chosen as this month’s recipient of the Driven By Hope Award, sponsored by Washington Auto Mall.

Hamilton says her mom always had a horse growing up and passed that passion down to her daughter. Running a stable is one thing, but Hamilton knows firsthand how life-changing equine therapy can be for those with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, post traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. When she was just 9 months old, she suffered a traumatic brain injury herself.

“I was in my highchair, and I fell back and hit my head off of ceramic tile floor,” she says. “I was unconscious and kept going in and out until the ambulance came.” She was diagnosed with speech apraxia and didn’t start talking until age 5. Despite physical and speech therapy, nothing got her to speak until she got her first pony named Bobo.

“I got the pony when I was 4 and finally started talking when I was 5,” says Hamilton. “My mom says it was the pony because she didn’t see me say any words or anything until I was outside with my pony and talking to it.”

She says she’s living proof of the healing power of horses. “Bobo was a really big part of the process,” she says. “They can do wonders, and they can do a lot for you. They’re such a good companion animal, make you feel safe and don’t judge you. All they want is your love and attention.”

Hamilton experienced firsthand how much of an impact horses had on her growth and development. “When I grew up, I knew I wanted to be able to give other people the same opportunity I was lucky enough to have,” she says. “I dedicated my life and education into learning as much as I could to provide this service.”

After graduating from Avella High School and Western Area Career and Technology Center in 2015 with honors, she went on to major in equine-facilitated therapeutics and minor in business at Wilson College in Chambersburg. After graduation in 2019, she became certified as an equine-assisted instructor and began work. Soon after, she moved home to run Sugar Run Stables and established Memories In The Makin’ in 2020.

How do horses help?

Equine therapy lessons help to promote physical and mental health by boosting a rider’s self-esteem, confidence and emotional stability. The lessons work on leading, grooming and riding the horse and have been proven to help with physical, behavioral, cognitive and mental disabilities.

“My goal for my riders is to bring a smile to their face and to have fun while learning,” says Hamilton. “This organization is extremely close to my heart, and I hope to continue this journey as far as it will take me.”

Memories In The Makin’ began with a handful of riders that has grown to nearly 20. “We currently have three volunteers that come weekly,” says Hamilton. “My barn staff takes care of feeding the horses, cleaning and maintenance, and I have an assistant instructor who helps me with training and lessons.”

Riders do pay a fee for the equine therapy lessons, but that doesn’t cover all of the organization’s costs. They also rely on donations and sponsors to support the program and hold fundraisers like an annual fall horse show for the kids.

Hamilton still enjoys riding when she has time and relies on equine therapy to continue her own progress and recovery and help reduce anxiety. “I think no matter who you are, how you are, no matter what… I think horses are therapy for us in many different ways,” she says. “You don’t have to have a disability or special need. I feel like they are just emotional therapy no matter if you’re having a hard day or getting through something in life.”

For more information on Memories In The Makin’ and to find out how to become a sponsor or make a donation, visit sugarrunstables.com.

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